Oil-burner.



I. A. BUTTRESS.

OIL BURNER. APPLICATION FLED MAR. 24| 1915. 1,203,098. Patented Oct. 31,1916.

III

II III I III,I,IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII,IIIIII I I a ma;

NTTED STATES JOSEPH A. IBUTTRESS, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

OIL-BURNER.

Laoaoas.

Specfication of Letters Patent.

ratentea oet. si, ieie.

Application filed March 24, 1916. Serial N o. 86,497.

To (ZZ 'whom t may Gomera:

Be it known that I, Josnri-I A. Bn'rrnnss, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles, State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Oil-Burners, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to oil burners or the like; and it is a. primary object of this invention to provide, for a burner or like apparatus, an improved means of forming a perfect mixture of vapor or gas and air ready for complete combustion.

I herein explain my invention vin the form of an oil burner; and, in this form, it is a primary object of this invention to provide a simple burner. particularly adapted for burning light oils (although, with proper arrangement, it' will burn heavy oils, as hereinafter explained); and to effect the perfect combustion of such oils under conditions of complete and accurate control.

It is an object of this invention to provide a burner in which the fuel is completely consumcd and in which perfect combustion is maintained whether the burner is acting at full capacity or only partial capacity. And it is also an object of this invention to provide a burner which is self contained; that is, a burner having in itself all of the parts necessary for complete operation, and not depending upon its proper installation for its proper action.

One of the features of my invention is the means I employ for thoroughly and intimatcly mixing the fuel gas and air. I give the gas and air a rotary motion back and forth between concentric tubes, the gas passing outwardly into larger and larger spaces as it is expanded by heat in the burner; and when the gaseous mixture reaches the point of ignition it is already heated to a temperature near the ignition temperature and then burns very readily in perfect combustion. This mixing and gradual heating and expansive fiow of the gases are all eXplained in the following specification.

The features of my invention will be best understood from the followingr specification wherein I explain a preferred form of burner constructed according to my invention. In the accompanying drawings I illustrate saidpreferred form of burner.

In these drawings Figure 1 is a plan of my burner, Fig. 2 is a horizontal central section of the same, parts being shown in plan for purposes of illustration, Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the burner, Fig. 4 is a cross section Vtaken as indicated by line 4 --/l on Fig. 8, Fig. 5 is a cross section taken as indicated by llne 5-5 on Fig. 3, and Fig. 6 is an enlarged diagrammatic section illustrating the fiow of gases in the concentric tubes.

In the drawings ll illustrate an eXterior tube at 10, this tube having transverse burner slots 11 through its upper and side walls. The gases finally escape through the burner slots for combustion. A support 12 holds the forward end of the tube 10, a clamp 13 being provided for holdingI `the tube in place on the support and the rear end of the burner tube is supported upon another support 14:. The gasolene,

Vkerosene, distillate or other fuel oil enters the Vburner at 15 and passes through a needle valve 16 into longitudinal pipe or tube 17. This needle valve has a comparatively small maximum opening; and the opening of the valve 16 is of such size, and so related to the opening of valve 18, that, when the valve 16 is fully opened, a free flow of a suiiicient amount of fuel oil is allowed to pass into the longitudinal pipe 17 to supply the necessary amount of gas at valve 18 for the full operation of the burner. The fuel oil passes rearwardly through longitudinal pipe 17 and from the rear end of this pipe it passes into a semi-circular passage 19 in the supporting member 11l,.passing over through this semi-circular passage to another longtudinal pipe 20 and thence into a passage 21 in the casting 22. The valves 16, 18 and 23 are located in this casting 22. The fluid passes from the pipe 20 into the passage 21 and then, the needle valve 23 being open (as it is when the burner is being started in operation) the liquid fuel passes down into the tube 2A: and thence into the generating pan 25. When a sufiicient amount of liquid fuel has accumulated in the generating pan, the valve 28 is closed, .and this liquid fuel is then ignited. The heat from the combustion of the liquid fuel in the pan is sufiicient to vaporize the liquid fuel standing in the' pipes 17 and 20. During the time of starting the needle valve 18 has been closed, but is now opened and the gaseous fuel then passes through the passage 26 and through the needle valve 18 and is projected into the fiared inouth or opening 27 of the innerinost tube 28. The projection of the gaseous fuel in a jet into this flared opening has the action of drawing into the tube 28 a certain amount of air; and the parts are so proportioned that, with any amount of opening of needle Valve 18, a volume of air is drawn into the tube 28 suflicient for the complete combustion of the gaseous fuel passing into the tube. Now, although the fuel has been heated to a high temperature in the vaporizing pipes, the admixture and contact with the cold air tends to cool the vapor; and for this reason it is necessary to again highly heat the vapor or gas and air, as well as to thoroughly mix it, before combustion. This jet of gaseous fuel, with its surrounding envelop of air drawn with it, passes rearwardly through the inner tube 28. The inner tube 28 rests at its rear end in a spherical opening or depression 29 in the inner face of supporting member 1a; and the spherical curve of this depression causes the rearwardly traveling column or jet of gas and air to be returned along the inside of the tube outside of the rearwardly traveling column or jet. The action from this point in the operation of my burner is one of its distinctive features; .and I wish to point out in detail the evolutions of mixing and heating gone through by the gases from the time of originalinjection into the tube 28 until the' time of final passage through the burner slots 11 where combustion takes place.

I shall point out first that the capacity of the concentric tubes is comparatively large; so that a large body of gas and air is always present in the tubes and there is always a comparatively large supply of mixed or heated gas and air ready for combustion. The rate of introduction and flow of gas and air is small as compared with the volume in the tubes at any one time. As a consequence the flow'of the gas and air from tube to tube is caused in the most part by the gradual heat expansion of the gas and air rather than by the amount being Originally introduced. The gas and air are gradually heated as they pass outwardly from tube to tube and are consequently gradually expanded. This gradual expansion causes their flow.

I shall now explain as fully as possible the action of the gases 'through the various concentric tubes.

T/Vhen the jet of gas and air is projected rearwardly through the innermost tube 28 it strikes the curved surface 29 and is caused to flow back toward the forward end of the tube, inside the tube and outside the rearwardly fiowing jet. Eddies and interferences are set up and the gas and air start to mix; and are at the same time started to be heated. Heating causes expansion; and, as a result, the gases begin to slowly and gradually fiow out of the tube through the slot 30 in its lower side. This is indicated by the arrows in Fig. 6. The gases fiowing from tube 28 fiow up around that tube inside the next tube 31 in rotary movement. The two upwardly fiowing streams of gases meet at the top above tube 28 and eddies and interferences are set up which cause mixing action and also cause the return of some of the gases to the bottom along the paths pre- Viously passed, where'these returning gases meet the gases emerging from slot 30, causing eddies and interferences. This action goes on until, by heat expansion of the gases in tube 31, the gases begin to loi'v from the tube through slot 32 at its top into the next tube 33. Here a similar action takes place and the gases are further ntimately mixed and further heated until they begin to expand through slot 3a into the lower part of tube 33 intothe burner tube 10. Here the final mixing, heating and expansion action takes place and the gases finally expand out through the burner' slots 11 intimately mixed and highly heated. Now it is an important part o`f operation that the gases be gradually heated and expanded. In my burner the tube 28 is the coolest of all the tubes; and the gases therein are comparatively cool. The next tube is warmer, the next is warmer still, and so on until the outermost tube is Very hot and the gases within that tube are heated to a high temperature ready for perfect combustion. It VWill be noted that the spaces between the tubes are of larger volume progressively from inside to outside; so that the gradual heat expansion of the gases is provided for and a uniform rate of fiow is provided for. The slots 30, 32 and 34, are progressively larger in the order named. Another point to be noted in the mixing operation is that each time the gases fiow through a slot from one tube into the next the direction of travel is reversed. That is: the gases fiow up to the slot inside a tube (say tube 31) and then through the slot and then down around the outsidze of tube 31 within the next tube 33. This recurring reversal of motion assists the proper mixing of the gases as eddies and disturbances are thereby created' The Spaces between the concentric tubes are made graduatedly larger and larger from inside to outside; and the longitudinal slots in the tube are also made larger from inside to outside; so that, as the gases expand, they fiow through the larger openings and spaces. The interior tube 28 is the coolest; and the gases are comparatively cool while in that tube; but as they move outwardly through the spaces between the concentric tubes they are gradually heated to a high temperature, until, when they reach the burner slot mixed gases are at a temperature very nearlythat of ignition.

It Will be observed that the combustible gas and air are rotated back andV forth through concentric spaces between the concentric tubes; and the result of this tortuous passage of the gases is a very thorough and intimate mingling of the combustible gas and air; so that by the time the gas and air reach the burner slots they are so thoroughly and intimately mixed that perfect and immediate combustion can take place when Vthe mixed gases pass through the slots. l/Vhen the burner is in full operation Vthis combustion takes place at a very high temperature, the high temperature being due to the perfect mixture of the gases and also due to their preheating before ignition. By closing down the needle valve 18, the flame may be turned down until it burns very low; and still a perfect combustion of fuel is maintained. The reason why this is possible is that, as hereinbefore stated, there is always in my burner a large amount of ready prepared gases in perfect condition for combustion. Combustion is even and not fiuctuating or fitful as it is where the gas and air are 'burned immediately upon introduction to the burner. Also for this reason my burner operates quietly. After the burner' is once started in operation, there is no smoke, soot or odor coming from the burner.

I have described my burner as it is used for the lighter grades of fuel oil; but the heavier grades of fuel oils may be used by using a feed pressure. For the lighter oils it is only necessary to have such gravity pressure as will feed the oil to the inlet 15. With any kind of fuel oil the burner is very economical in operation, due to the perfect combustion. There is no noise while in operation. All of the air necessary for the burner is drawn through the tube 28; and therefore the burner does not have to be set with any underdraftlor with any chimney above it. The burner does not depend upon its setting for proper operation, containing in itself all the elements and force necessary for complete and full burning of the fuel.

Having described a preferred form of my invention, I claim:

1. A device of the Character described, embodying an inner tube having one end open, 'a concaved endV stopper for the Vother end of the tube, means to introduce a combustible gas longitudinally of the tube at its open end and to project said gas in a jet against the concaved end, whereby the gas is returned along the inside walls of the tube, the tube being longitudinally slotted on its lower side for exit of the gas and another tube surrounding the inner tube spaced therefrom to provide for flow of the gas upwardly around the inner tube inside the outer tube, and the outer tube having an Outlet opening for the gas at its upper side.

2. A device of the Character described, embodying an inner tube having one end open, a concaved end stopper for the other end of the tube, means to introduce a combustible gas longitudinally of the tube at its open i end and to project said gas in a jet against the concaved end, whereby the gas is re.- turned along the inside walls of the tube, the tube being longitudinally slotted on its lower side for exit of the gas, another tube surrounding the inner tube spaced therefrom to provide for flow of the gas upwardly around the inner tube inside the outer tube, the said last mentioned tube having a longitudinal slot at its upper side for escape of the gas from that tube, another tube surrounding and spaced from the second mentioned tube and having a longitudinal slot at its lower side for escape of gas, and a burner tube surrounding the last mentioned tube and spaced therefrom and having burner apertures through its wall through which the gas escapes for combustion, the several spaces between the tubes being progressively larger from inside to outside to allow for the gradual heat eXpansion of the gas as it passes outwardly from tube to tube.

3. A device of the character described, embodying an inner tube having one end fiared and open, a concaved end stopper for the other end of the tube, means to direct a jet of combustible gas into the open fiared end of the tube to draw atmospheric gas with it 'into the tube and to project the gases longitudinally along the tube against the concaved end, whereby the gases are returned along the inside walls of the tube, the tube being longitudinally slotted on its lower side for exit of the gases, another tube surrounding the inner tube spaced therefrom to provide for flow of the gases upwardly around the inner tube inside the outer tube, the said last mentioned tube having a longitudinal slot at its upper side for escape of the gases from that tube, another tube surrounding and spaced from the second mentioned tube and having a longitudinal slot at its lower side for escape of gases, and a burner tube surrounding the last mentioned tube and spaced therefrom and having burner apertures through its wall through which the gases escape for combustion, the several spaces between the tubes being progressively larger from inside to outside to allow for the gradual heat eXpansionl of the gases as they pass outwardly from tube to tube.

4. A 'device of the Character described, embodying an inner tube open at oneend, a concave end wall at the other end of said tube, means to introduce gas to the open end and to project it longitudinally of the tube against the concave end wall, said tube having an aperture on one side for escape of the gas, and a tube surrounding the inner tube with an annular space between the two tubes,

said last mentioned tube having an aperture for escape of the gas on its side opposite to the apertured side of the inner tube.

5. In a device of the Character described, a tube having a concave end wall and having a slot in its side wall extending substantially from end to end of the tube, and means to project gases into the tube and against the concave end wall to be deflected thereby and directed along the side walls of the tube.

6. A device of the Character described, embodying an inner tube having one end open and having an outlet aperture on one side, a mixing tube surrounding said inner tube with an annular space between the tubes, said mixing tube having an outlet aperture on its side opposite to the apertured side of the inner tube, and a burner tube surrounding the mixing tube with an annular space therearound and having burner openings situated so that the gas escaping from the opening in the mixing tube passes around the mixing tube to reach the burner openings.

7. A device of the Character described, embodying an inner tube having. one end open and the other end closed and having an outlet along its under side, a mixing tube surrounding the inner tube and spaced therefrom and having an outlet along its upper side, another mixing tube surrounding the first mentioned mixing tube and spaced therefrom and having an outlet along its under side, and a burner tube surrounding the last mentioned mixing tube and having burner openings along its upper side.

8. A device of the Character described, embodying an inner tube having one end open and the other end closed and having an outlet along its under side, a mixing tube surrounding the inner tube and spaced therefrom and having an outlet along its upper side, another mixing tube -surrounding the first mentioned mixing tube and spaced therefrom and having an outlet along its under side, and a burner surrounding the last mentioned mixing tube and having burner openings along its upper side, the space between the first mentioned mixing tube and the inner tube being of greater volume than the space within the inner tube, the space between the two mixing tubes being of greater volume than the space vbetween the inner mixing tube and the inner tube, and the space between the burner tube and the outer mixing tube being of greater volume than the space between the two mixing tubes, allowing for gradual expanding of the gases passing outwardly through the' tubes.v

9. A device of the Character described, embodying an inner tube having one end open and the other end closed and having an outlet along its under side, a mixng tube surrounding the inner tube and spaced therefrom and having an outlet along its upper side, another mixing tube surrounding the first mentioned lmixing tube and spaced therefrom and having an outlet along its under side, and a burner surrounding the last mentioned mixing tube and having burner openings along its upper side, the space between the first mentioned mixing tube and the inner tube being of greater volume than the space within the inner tube, the space between the two mixing tubes being of greater volume than the space between the inner mixing tube and the inner tube, and the space between the burner tube and the outer mixing tube being of greater volume than the space between the two mixing tubes, and the outlets in the inner tube, the inner mixing tube and the outer mixing tube being successively larger in the order mentioned, allowing for gradual expansion of the gases passing outwardly through the tubes.

10. In a device of the Character described, a plurality of closed ended tubes arranged one within the other, each of said tubes having an opening in its wall and the openings in immediately adj acent tubes being arranged apart so that gases passing through one opening will circulate between the tubes before passing through another opening, and means to introduce gases to the innermost tube, the successive spaces between the tubes being larger and larger from the innermost tube outwardly and the successive openings in the tubes being larger and larger' from the innermost tube outwardly.

11. In a device of the Character described, a series of juxtaposed chambers arranged in communication in series with each other, the first Chamber of the series being the smallest of said chambers and said chambers being successively larger counting from the said firstchamber of the series to the last Chamber of the series; said chambers being intercommunicated by openings from each Chamber into the next, said openings being' arranged so that gases passing into any one of the chambers must circulate through that Chamber before passing out of it; and means to introduce gases to the said first Chamber of the series.

12. In a burner of the Character described, a series of concentrically arranged tubes, the outermost tube being a burner tube having burner openings, means for introducing combustible gases into the innermost tube, there being openings through the tubes for passage of the gases outwardly from tube to tube; the said openings and the volume of the spaces within the several tubes being successively larger counting from the inside tube and said successive increase in size and volume being substantially proportional to the increase in volume of the gases introduced due to the heating of those gases from the outside of the burner tube where the gases are consumed.

18. In a device of the Character described, the combination of an outer tube having fine flame apertures, an inner tube in the outer tube, means for feeding a combustible gas into the inner tube, the inner tube haring a relatively broad aperture through its wall extending lengthwise along one side of the inner tube, and a bafile tube in the outer tube substantiall7 embracing the inner tube and provided with a relatively broad elongated aperture through its wall extending lengthwise along the side of the baflie tube opposite to the side of the inner tube which is apertured, said bafile tube being arranged so as to intercept and detain the gases within the outer tube as they pass from the inner tube toward the outer tube.

111. A device of the Character described, embodying an inner tube having an Outlet aperture through its side wall on one side, a mixing tube einbracing said inner tube with al space around the inner tube between the two tubes, said mixing tube having an outlet aperture through its cylindrical wall on its side opposite to the apertured side of the inner tube, and a burner tube embracing the mixing tube with a space around the mixing tube and Vhaving burner openings through its side wall Vsituated so that the Vgas escaping from the opening in the iniX- ing tube passes around the mixing tube to reach the burner openings.

15'. A device of the Character described, embodying an inner tube, a mixing tube einbracing the inner tube with a space between the tubes, and an outer tube embracing the mixing tube with a space between the tubes, means for introducing gas to the inner tube, 'and each of said tubes having gas outlet openings through their side walls.

16. A device of the character described, embodying an inner tube, a mixing tube embracing the inner tube with a space between the tubes, and an outer tube embracing the mixing tube with a space between the tubes, means for introducing gas to the inner tube, and each of said tubes having gas Outlet openings through their side walls, the openings in the inner and mixing tubes being eX- clusivelj:V through relatively opposite sideV walls of the two tubes.

17. A device of the charactcr described, einbodying an inner tube having a gas outlet opening through its side wall and an outer burner tube having burner openings therethrough, and a baile between the inner and outer tubes for intercepting the gases in passage between the two tubes.

18. A device of the characterl described, embodying an inner tube having a gas Outlet opening through its side wall, an outer burner tube having burner openings therethrough, and a baliie between the inner and outer tubes for intercepting the .gases in passage between the two tubes, said bafHe substantially einbracing the inner tube and being spaced from both the inner and outer tubes.

19. A device of the Character described, embodying an inner tube having a gas Outlet opening through its side wall, an outer burner tube having burner openings therethrough, and a battle between the inner and outer tubes for intercepting the gases in oassaoe between the two tubes said baffle being in the form of an apertured tube einbracing the inner tube and spaced therefrom and from the outer tube.

n witness that I claiin the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed niy name this 18th daj,T of March, 1916.

JOSEPH A. BUTTRESS.

VVitnesses T. A. BULLARD, W. L. ALEXANDER, Janus T. BAnimLuw.

Gopies of this patent may be obtained for five oents each, by addressing the Gommissioner of Patents,

Washington, 2D. 0. 

